Government expenditure on education not specified by level, US$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on education not specified by level, US$ was 437.4 millions in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
437.4 millions
Change on year
down 23.5%
World rank
19th
of 157 countries
All-time high
4,145 millions
in 2012
All-time low
0 millions
in 1987
Years of data
33
1987–2024
Government expenditure on education not specified by level, US$ in South Africa, 1987–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2024, government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$ in South Africa stood at 437.4 millions.
The figure is down 23.5% on the previous year and down 85.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$ in South Africa peaked at 4,145 millions in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0 millions, in 1987.
South Africa ranks 19th of 157 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education not specified by level, US$ in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 0 millions | — |
| 1988 | 0 millions | — |
| 1989 | 0 millions | — |
| 1990 | 0 millions | — |
| 1993 | 0 millions | — |
| 1994 | 0 millions | — |
| 1996 | 0 millions | — |
| 1999 | 491.62 millions | — |
| 2000 | 518.16 millions | +5.4% |
| 2001 | 455.35 millions | -12.1% |
| 2002 | 386.63 millions | -15.1% |
| 2003 | 471.64 millions | +22.0% |
| 2004 | 914.25 millions | +93.8% |
| 2005 | 976.97 millions | +6.9% |
| 2006 | 1,134 millions | +16.1% |
| 2007 | 1,106 millions | -2.5% |
| 2008 | 1,765 millions | +59.6% |
| 2009 | 1,830 millions | +3.7% |
| 2010 | 1,851 millions | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 2,880 millions | +55.6% |
| 2012 | 4,145 millions | +43.9% |
| 2013 | 2,658 millions | -35.9% |
| 2014 | 2,946 millions | +10.9% |
| 2015 | 2,867 millions | -2.7% |
| 2016 | 2,408 millions | -16.0% |
| 2017 | 2,238 millions | -7.1% |
| 2018 | 2,594 millions | +15.9% |
| 2019 | 2,782 millions | +7.2% |
| 2020 | 463.1 millions | -83.4% |
| 2021 | 587.49 millions | +26.9% |
| 2022 | 568.8 millions | -3.2% |
| 2023 | 571.5 millions | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 437.4 millions | -23.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 millions | 0 millions | 0 millions | 3 |
| 1990s | 98.33 millions | 0 millions | 491.62 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 955.79 millions | 386.63 millions | 1,830 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,737 millions | 1,851 millions | 4,145 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 525.66 millions | 437.4 millions | 587.49 millions | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 407,696 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$ in South Africa was 437.4 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4,145 millions in 2012.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 millions in 1987.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$?
- South Africa ranks 19th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on education not specified by level, us$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 85.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on education not specified by level, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 33 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release